The early church · Acts 21–23
Paul Arrested in the Temple
In Jerusalem, Paul follows the advice of James and the elders and goes into the temple with four men who have taken a vow. Jews from Asia see him, stir up the crowd, and drag him outside to kill him; but the tribune rushes in with soldiers and has him bound with two chains. From the steps, Paul speaks in Hebrew and tells of his encounter with Jesus near Damascus. At the words “I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles,” the crowd howls. As he is about to be flogged, Paul declares that he is a Roman citizen. Before the Sanhedrin, he says he is on trial because of the resurrection, and Pharisees and Sadducees split into factions. The Lord appears to him: “Be of good cheer.” More than forty men swear to kill him, but Paul’s sister’s son exposes the plot, and an escort takes him by night to Caesarea.
What happens
- Jews from Asia stir up the crowd: “He hath polluted this holy place” Acts 21:27–28
- Dragged out of the temple, Paul is rescued from the mob and bound with two chains Acts 21:30–33
- At “I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles,” the crowd demands his death Acts 22:21–22
- “A Roman”: the tribune is afraid Acts 22:25–28
- The resurrection divides the Pharisees and the Sadducees Acts 23:6–8
- More than forty conspirators: Paul’s sister’s son reveals the ambush Acts 23:13–16
Who is in this story
The lesson
The Lord keeps his promises even when the road runs through chains. In Jerusalem, Paul is arrested and threatened with death, but God stands by him (“Be of good cheer”) and uses a Roman citizen, a young nephew, and an armed escort to carry him toward Rome.
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Quick quiz on this story
What accusation do the Jews from Asia hurl at Paul in the temple?
They cry out that he “brought Greeks also into the temple” and polluted this holy place, because they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city. Acts 21:28–29
What status does Paul reveal to the centurion just as they are about to flog him?
Facing the whip, Paul asks whether it is lawful to scourge a Roman who is uncondemned; the tribune is afraid. Acts 22:25–29
Over what issue do the Pharisees and Sadducees split before the Sanhedrin?
Paul cries out that he is being judged “of the hope and resurrection of the dead”; the Sadducees deny it, the Pharisees affirm it, and the assembly is divided. Acts 23:6–8
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